Founders Day Parade closing State Bridge Dec. 7

Motorists will need to find other roads

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The seventh annual Johns Creek Founders Day Parade has grown to almost 100 units, and with 10,000 spectators expected, motorists planning to use State Bridge Road on the morning of Dec. 7 will need to find alternate routes.

From about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., drivers wanting to travel southeast/northwest should consider alternate routes, such as Abbotts Bridge Road, McGinnis Ferry Road or Old Alabama Road.

The parade route will be closed in three stages from east to west until the 1.4-mile route between Morton and Kimball Bridge roads is blocked off. (Closings include side streets. Traffic from Twingate Drive will be allowed to enter and exit State Bridge Road in the direction of Medlock Bridge Road.)

• 8 a.m.: State Bridge will be closed between East and West Morton roads. Morton Road is shaped like a horseshoe with both sides crossing State Bridge Road. That means motorists on State Bridge Road can use Morton as a detour to go around the closed segment and continue on State Bridge until about 9:30 a.m.

• 8:30 a.m.: State Bridge Road will be closed from West Morton Road to Jones Bridge Road. Jones Bridge will remain open until about 9:30 a.m.

• 10 a.m.: State Bridge Road will be closed all the way from East Morton Road to Kimball Bridge Road. Roadblocks will be lifted around 1 p.m.

The 2013 parade features notable newcomers and perennial favorites. Among the highlights are the Medieval Times, the “Seed and Feed Marching Abominable,” Atholl Highlanders Pipes and Drums and the Atlanta Braves Drumline.

Parade participants should park at Ocee Park where shuttle vehicles will take them to their assigned staging area.

The parade, which culminates a week of activities, will be accompanied by Santa Jam, a community party at Ocee Park that features music, food and race cars. Santa Jam starts at 11 a.m. and lasts until 1 p.m.